Fresh out of the box, a Scarpa 4-Quattro SL. The boot (size 27) weighs 1420g.
The Scarpa 4-Quattro SL promises and delivers legit stiffness. The sole is GripWalk compatible for the 50/50 skiers out there. Don’t be fooled by the 50/50 … it could go 100/0. Here’s a first look.
I’ll make some assumptions here: the 4-Quattro refers to the four-buckle system and the four boots that comprise the 4-Quattro line: two models for women, two for men. Lots of fours.
Four magnesium buckles help stiffen the ride. And just to ensure the foot retention is solid, a freeride-worthy powerstrap up top keeps the SL legit stiff. Scarpa calls the 4-Quattro SL a 120 flex, 10 less on the flex scale than the slightly heavier and stiffer Quattro XT. For women, the XT is a 115 flex, and the SL a 100. I know women charging way harder than me, so if you want the 130 or 120 flex, try the men’s options.
The plans for the 4-Quattro SL are as follows: the pair arrived in Bend several weeks ago. I took them out for a few laps up the local lift-served volcano (still shut down for the off-season) for this first look and then handed them off in Seattle to Rob Copollillo for the full review.
Uphill First Impressions
I’m usually not a four-buckle boot skier, but after a few tours in the 4-Quattro SL, I’m angling for a pair of four buckle boots for keeps and hid my disappointment when handing the boots to Rob. I did say something like, “if the boots don’t fit right, let me know….”
The buckles are loosened for the uphill. The boot sports a just-enough 61 degrees of articulation.
The lock mechanism is a simple vertically oriented throw.
The stated range of motion on this boot is 61 degrees. I know; maybe it was 60.6 — why not round up? No matter, the boot passes the tourabilty test, and I’d say for most skiers focusing more on the down than the up, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how forgiving the boot is while ascending. To the shock of some readers, I did deploy the hi-risers on several occasions while skinning. So it goes with a beefier boot and a more limited ROM.
The lockout mechanism is simple, vertically oriented, and reliable in my limited use.
I was very pleasantly surprised while skinning. I expected meh; I got stoke—the boot over-delivered.
First Impressions on the Downhill
I can say nothing more than the 4-Quattro SL skis like a champ. We were just transitioning here from rock skis to less battered boards — I had the G3 FINDR 86 underfoot. The ski is a reliable, stable, and predictable plank (which I love), and with the Scarpa boot helping initiate the turns, the chunder and chop and breakable were way more tolerable. Some more hardcore skiers than I will opt for the XT version with the stiffer 130 flex. The SL’s 120 flex rating felt plenty stiff and progressive, and it’s as close as I’ve come to my old Lange XLRs back when the Mahre brothers ruled the race scene. Stiffer boots can make the downs more fun. Such was the case with this boot. Thank you four buckles, overlap shell, and powerstrap.
The Fit
The fit might be finicky for some. The instep and toe box appear to have lower volume. The toe box, for my feet, felt fine, as did the instep, but I can see it being trouble for those with higher insteps. If you are used to the venerable Scarpa Meastrale series, you’ll note the trimmed-down appearance of the 4-Quattro line of boots.
I’m a solid 27.5, and the 4-Quattros break on the 1/2 size. The 26.5 and 27 share the same shell but have a 26.5 or 27 lasted liner, respectively. The 27.0 fit fine; I would want maybe 1.5mm more room up front for the big toe on the left foot (it’s a bit longer than the right foot).
As usual, Scarpa outfits the boot with a heat-moldable Intuition liner which is beefed up to be a solid match for the four buckle + powerstrap retention system.
Note the lower volume instep. For those used to the Maestrale fit, size before you buy.
Final Thoughts for the First Look
The boot has been plugged pretty hard by Scarpa. The 4-Quattro line is GripWalk compatible, meaning the boots work with both tech bindings, GripWalk-certified alpine bindings, and MNC bindings like the Salomon Shift. For you 50/50 (on-piste/off-piste) skiers out there, a 4-Quattro could meet all your needs. And honestly, if it fits, and you are an all-the-time human-powered skier, the 4-Quattro ST could be a daily driver for those desiring burly stiffness and sufficient tourability. Don’t be fooled by the 50/50 … it could go 100/0.
The 4-Quattro SL Specs
Size tested: 27
Last (claimed): 100mm in the 27
Weight Verified: 1432g (a bit lighter than a 27.5 Fischer Transalp Pro) and a few paper clips lighter than a Scarpa Maestrale.
Shell/Cuff Material: Pebax R-New® Shell with an over-injected Carbon Grilamid® LFT insert
Sole: Presa Ski-01/GripWalk Tour
Liner: Intuition/heat moldable
ROM: 61 degrees
Flex rating (claimed): 120
Forward Lean: 17 +/-2
Price: The SL is $699, and the XTs cost $799.
Jason Albert comes to WildSnow from Bend, Oregon. After growing up on the East Coast, he migrated from Montana to Colorado and settled in Oregon. Simple pleasures are quiet and long days touring. His gray hair might stem from his first Grand Traverse in 2000 when rented leather boots and 210cm skis were not the speed weapons he had hoped for. Jason survived the transition from free-heel kool-aid drinker to faster and lighter (think AT), and safer, are better.
15 comments
Looks like the Audi of similar name. Also only for those with no taste.
But seriously, the fact that Scarpa “plugged it pretty hard” doesn’t make it any different than every 4-buckle beef boot. I think there’s basically no room for innovation in the beef boot market until the helium liner and antigrav footbed come to market. You can’t lighten beef or make it bend better. You can, thankfully, make light boots ski better.
Only for those with no taste? I’m sure there are more than a few skiers out there with a wry knowing smile having read your comment. If skiing big days and big lines at high speed isn’t your flavor that’s ok, but lets not pretend others can’t enjoy all the flavors.
Making a boot in the 1200- 1500g category ski better is innovation, that and making them walk WAY better has awesome in the last couple years. ZGTP’s walk better than TLT6’s/ bout the same as an F1, ski LIGHT YEARS better, and are still lighter than both. I’d call that some pretty big innovation for beef boots. Also boots like this can truly be boot quivers of 1 or perfect for traveling when you can’t lug around an inbounds and bc set.
Rob, can you grace us with some images/commentary of the sole of the boot? From what I can tell it looks like the boot would have significantly less traction when booting and billy-goating around since it has less lugs to accommodate traditional binding toe and heel interfaces.
I have several days now on the XT and I worship these boots. They skis like a proper ski boot where you can lean into it and initiate the turn driving the shovel of the ski. Any weight penalty is insignificant because the range of motion is so good which I have found is much more important than weight,. I am 175 lbs, skiing a Backland 107 with it and it is a perfect combo.
Hey Fred, that sounds like a good combo. I was out on the Backland 107s yesterday (now that most rocks seem to be adequately buried) and that ski in deep snow certainly puts a smile on the face.
Hi Jason, and anyone else that wants to chime in…Can you compare this to a Zero G Scout? Look pretty similar weight/buckle wise. Other than foot fit, you have a vote one way or another?
Just got a pair of 26.5 SL’s fitted today and will ski them Sunday. I think these are going to be fantastic. Great fit, nice flex and very light. I ski Scarpa TX Comps as my daily work boot (Patroller) and Maestrale for my AT boots. Been struggling to find a cross over boot to work in. Tried the Quatro on in the shop and thought they would be to tight. Took them home and spent some time in them and decided to go for it. The shop backed the liners and the left boot still felt tight across the instep – padded my foot, heated the tongue with a heat gun and granted the buckles tight. They feel great, I will let you know how they ski. Take away, more room in the liner then I thought!
I’ve been skiing the Quattro XT for a few days now and am quite impressed! The boot feels rock solid skiing downhill, and tours better than any boot I have ever been in, besides the F1 LT. I was actually a bit worried I wouldn’t want to tour in these as much, since I really do love the way my F1 LT’s ski, but the range of motion and relatively low weight of these is compelling! I can see this being the next “Pro” boot that we see on the feet of big names while skiing big lines (like what happened with the Technica ZGPT and Dynafit Vulcan in years past).
I just spent 3 days skiing my new 27.5 Quattro SL boots at Red Mt in BC. Conditions were negative cold temps with acres of fresh pow. I previously read a boot fitter’s review that stated the SL best over the XT for a lower volume foot (mine are supper low with one foot about 1/2 size longer) ) with no apparent difference in performance between the two flexes. They absolutely perform as an alpine boot ( I used to instruct alpine way back when) and are easy and comfortable to skin in as I spent a day previous to this trip at my backcountry ski patrol on-the-hill refresher bashing about. My other boots are Maestrale RS, same size (Note: the 27.5 shell of the SL is 6mm shorter than the RS). The fit and feel of the SL are much better after having a professional form the liners. My feet feel truly connected to the skis ( I was on some favored Black Diamond Verdicts and Volkl Nunataqs with Dynafit BC bindings this trip.). I can only believe this will be my one boot quiver.
My wife and I have the Quattro SL’s. Love them! But you will need to size up, so try them on before taking the plunge. I usually am a 23, my wife a 24. We each sized up to a 24 and 25 respectively. I added a slim boot board to take up a bit of space. The Quattro SL skis like a champ, responsive and no pressure points. Tenacious heel and ankle grip make this boot a winner. Great flex and walk pattern. Light weight and great to tour in. Taking them to Japan in January so we’ll give you an update.
I have 27.0/27.2 feet and I have no idea how the author’s feet fit a 27 in this boot ?
To me, the 28 fits lengthwise like other manufacturers’ 27.5s while much shorter outside.
Fit is tight/close but really nice.
As noted, “The 27.0 fit fine; I would want maybe 1.5mm more room up front for the big toe on the left foot (it’s a bit longer than the right foot).” Otherwise, the fit length-wise works for me and no toe-bang up front. So far, in winter temps the fit has not been a problem (my foot swells sometimes in the spring). I’ve been in a few Scrapa boots in a 28, and they feel too roomy for me. Hope the 28 works for you, sounds like it does.
Everything I have read or heard about this boot suggested it is exactly what I want. But when I tried them on in the shop (or tried to try them on I could not get my foot into them (and I have low volume, narrow feet- B width in a street shoe). The boot fitter there said the same thing- they are nearly impossible to put on. Is there some trick I’m not aware of?
Hey David, I’m not sure what the issue is, the boot is pretty uneventful for me to put on. That said, the human foot (and ankle) are pretty amazing in their variability. I simply flip the ski/walk lever into walk mode, pull the liner tongue forward, pull the upper shell back, loosen all the buckles, pull up on the sewn weebing on the liner back and tongue as I insert foot. I hope it all works out for you.